Patent · US Expired

Instant messaging blind join

US7058682B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
4References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 25, 2002
Grant dateJun 6, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 8, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L51/04
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A blind join apparatus, method and system for use with an instant messaging client. The blind join apparatus can include at least one set of pre-configured blind join options specifying a level of participation permitted by an invitee invited to anonymously join an instant messaging session in progress. Blind join invitation generation logic can be configured to extend a blind join invitation to a specified instant messaging contact. Specifically, the blind join invitation can include a specified invitee and a selected one of the at least one set of pre-configured blind join options. Finally, blind join invitation acceptance logic can be configured to accept a blind join invitation at a level of participation limited by blind join options specified in the blind join invitation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.